We have all seen the disturbing images of the meth addict: bloodshot eyes, skin covered in cysts, teeth rotting. It is clear that meth addiction wreaks havoc on the addict’s body and mind, but what about the impact on the addict’s families and communities? No addiction happens in a vacuum; many lives are affected deeply.
What Is Meth?
Derived from amphetamine, methamphetamine (or meth) is a powerful, highly-addictive stimulant. It floods the brain with chemicals that create a sense of euphoria and well-being, lowering the appetite and causing increased activity. Its effects are strong but can be short-lived, causing abusers to binge the drug, chasing the high over and over again in a short period of time. Meth can be smoked, snorted, injected, or taken orally. Sadly, after just one use, a person can become addicted.
Meth Addiction
Because its effects are so strong, meth is highly addictive. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over one million people in the United States have a methamphetamine use disorder. For these meth addicts, the long-term effects of their disorder are dire: depression and anxiety, paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, compulsive behavior, cardiovascular problems, psychosis, inability to experience pleasure, and–in the case of an overdose–even death.
Certain groups of people are more at risk for substance abuse disorders, including those who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (such as verbal, physical, or sexual abuse, or even divorce). However, meth does not discriminate; once it sucks a person in, it does not easily let go.
Meth’s Effect on Families and Communities
The meth addict suffers, but those around them suffer too. Families and friends report watching in despair as the person they once knew disappears, their behavior and even looks becoming unrecognizable. In their desperation to seek a constant high, the meth addicted individual may resort to illegal or dangerous means such as prostitution or theft. Additionally, the risky sexual behaviors associated with meth abuse contribute to the spread of diseases such as hepatitis and HIV.
If a parent is abusing the drug, the effects on children is intense. They grow up in an environment that is unstable financially, emotionally, and physically, with parents spending their time and money seeking a drug rather than caring for their children. On the other hand, if a child in the family is the one struggling with meth abuse, they may isolate from their parents and siblings or incur criminal charges for some of their drug-seeking behaviors. Further complicating this situation is that often parents, in an effort to help their beloved child, will inadvertently make matters worse through enabling behaviors.
Hope for the Meth Addict
This suffering does not have to be the end of the story for meth addicts. Recovery from meth addiction is possible if the addict chooses to follow it.
Successful substance abuse recovery depends upon many factors. A primary one is the willingness of the addict to take the necessary steps towards health and wholeness. For the meth addict, this will often include participation in a holistic drug rehab. In this approach, the whole person is addressed: the body, mind, and emotions. Holistic rehab will often include exploration of the root causes of addiction and substance abuse, including examining the addict’s past using a trauma lens. By identifying the broken places in the meth addict’s past and the ways in which they may have sought healing in the wrong ways, true healing can begin.
Recovery will also require identifying and steadfastly working towards treatment goals for substance abuse. Working with a trained professional, the addict will participate in identifying the problem and creating goals and a treatment plan to meet those goals.
This will undoubtedly include working with different coping skills for substance abuse. For the addict, triggers are all around them: stress, painful memories, even celebratory moments can cause a relapse. A successful treatment plan will include substituting drug use with other healthy coping skills, such as physical activity, engaging with community, or mindfulness and meditation.
In some cases, the meth addict may seek residential treatment. This methodology offers around-the-clock care, which can be invaluable for a person in the throes of this very strong drug. Residential treatment programs offer those in recovery a safe place to detox–even with medical intervention if necessary–and 24-7 support for the duration of the stay. They include counseling, nutrition programs, and other holistic options such as equine or art therapy.
Recover from Meth Addiction in Nashville, TN
If you or a loved one feel you are ready to seek meth addiction treatment, consider the Integrative Life Center in Nashville, TN. Our comprehensive approach to treatment can give you the confidence you need to achieve lasting healing for yourself, your family, and your community. Give us a call today at 615-378-8806.
